Azusa Wilderness Park Planning Update

[Lester]

Azusa Wilderness Park Planning Update

On February 16th, there was a meeting for the Azusa Wilderness Park to present 3 possible development plans. Each of these plans is listed on the web site at wca.ca.gov/notices/notices_el-encanto.html

BlueGreen Open Space Planning and Design, and The Watershed Conservation Authority (WCA) is looking for comments regarding the plan. This park is located adjacent to Mountain Cove so it is important that we view these plans and express our opinions. I would highly recommend that you view all of the plans online and email your opinions to them (see contact information below). It will be TOO LATE to express your concerns at the next meeting. Your concerns need to be stated as soon as possible and prior to the next meeting.

I think that all of the plans offered have mostly positive and a few negative aspects to them.

But I would like to focus here on some of the concerns that I personally have and I’m sure that you probably have your own concerns as well:

1. I feel that the park should be closed at dusk to prevent problems with homelessness, etc.
2. That no camping or fire pits be aloud to prevent problems and risk of fires as well as homeless people moving in.
3. That the plan should not include a potential link up into Robert’s Creek, which would eventually create a trail for the public to go through Mountain Cove. Again, the risk of fires, trash, graffiti, and theft must be minimized while also protecting the privacy of the residents. There are plenty of other trails throughout the forest; we do not need one to go through Mountain Cove.
4. One plan suggested a pedestrian cross walk across San Gabriel Canyon to link the bike trail and potential trail up Robert’s Creek (the creek that goes through Mountain Cove). They suggested having a flashing red light on San Gabriel Canyon Road to warn drivers. I feel that it is not safe to have a crossing on San Gabriel Canyon due to the speed that people come down the hill. I also think that a red flashing light would detract from the natural beauty of the canyon.
5. I would like to see the El Encanto billboard removed from the San Gabriel Canyon Road.
6. I think that the tiny outdoor amphitheater to be used to teach people about the environment is a good idea but the children’s play area would be a problem because it would encourage children to be noisy while many other people are using the park for bird watching and to enjoy the natural sounds of nature. The park designs emphasize bird watching, nature trails, and the river. I think that the children’s play area would detract from this.
7. I don’t see how any of the plans would offer enough funding to manage them. This is a major concern for me as well. I don’t want it to become just another place for people to leave trash and graffiti. And I would like to make sure that there is enough funding to keep the facility in good condition. One thought would be to rent out space for a day spa. It would be a beautiful place to get a massage, facial, pedicure, etc. And the rent would help to finance the park maintenance. Upgrading the facility could potentially be financed by the day spa.

The next and final meeting will be May 3rd. This will be the meeting to show the final plan. So it is important to send your comments in now. Again, It will be too late to express your concerns at the next meeting. Your concerns need to be stated as soon as possible and prior to the next meeting.

For additional information contact:

Lynne Dwyer
BlueGreen Open Space Planning and Design
570 W. Avenue 26, Suite 700
Los Angeles, CA 90065
323 225-1221
[e-mail]

Jane Beesley
Watershed Conservation Authority
900 S Fremont Ave, Annex 2nd Floor
Alhambra, CA 91803
626-458-7190
[e-mail]

wca.ca.gov/notices/notices_el-encanto.html

[Lester]

I forgot to mention that they have decided against charging a fee to get into the park.

[update]

Here is an email from the Watershed Conservation Authority:

Azusa River Wilderness Park ·Design Alternatives



The Watershed Conservation Authority in collaboration with the City of Azusa purchased the former El Encanto restaurant site and has begun the planning effort for a revitalized forty acre park. The forty acre site will be the beginning of the planned Azusa River Wilderness Park located on Highway 39 above the City of Azusa .



As a part of the planning process, community meetings are being held. The first meeting, held on November 16, 2006, gathered public input about desired site elements and improvements. At Meeting 2, held on February 15, 2007, the designers overseeing the development of the park’s Master Plan, BlueGreen Open Space Planning and Design, presented three design alternatives created in response to the input received from Meeting 1. You may view these design alternatives and a slide show of the presentation from Meeting 2 at www.wca.ca.gov/notices/notices_el-encanto.html . Please submit comments via email to the [e-mail] by March 1, 2007. The final Community Meeting is scheduled for:


May 3, 2007 6:30-8:30 pm Final Park Plan



For additional information please call or email:



Lynne Dwyer

BlueGreen Open Space Planning & Design

570 W. Avenue 26, Suite 700

Los Angeles, CA 90065

323 225-1221

[e-mail]



Jane Beesley

Watershed Conservation Authority

900 S Fremont Ave , Annex 2nd Floor

Alhambra , CA 91803

626-458-7190

[e-mail]

[gyrojohnny]

Lester offers some good comments here. I wrote Lynne indicating my preference for all Wilderness Park activites be confined to the south side of Highway 39 and for the park to be quaranteed adequate funding as well as close at dusk.

Send inj your comments yea or nay so that Mountain Cove is heard.

Thanks Lester